Chapter 49

"Why wouldn't we?"

"I don't know. I thought there would be more questions"

"We watch documentaries. Besides, we were kind hoping that you and mom will get together"

"Really?"

"Yeah

"I didn't know" he was truly surprised. And a little relieved that the boys didn't hate him or were mad. This should set the nerves of Diane at ease.

"Yeah. Somebody's got to be your heirs" David

"So that's the only reason?" George laughed.

"So you guys aren't mad?" George asked hesitantly.

"Why should we be?" David asked confused and straightforwardly. Unlike his brother, David was not as in-tuned with other people's emotions. He was the more blunt and straightforward twin. How he saw the whole situation was, his father was not in the picture, George wanted to be their dad, he and Mario loved George and his mother loved George. So presto. Voila! George was going to be their dad and he would have a family with two parents and one brother and sister.

"He is scared that we might think that he is taking our biological father's place and we might hate him for it" Mario explained.

"Oh. Well no trouble" David waving him off.

George was still confused. Mario seeing the confusion on his face, sighed then he started to explain.

"We have a lot of friends who have step-parents and they are really cool and nice. It is not really a big deal. Step-parents are really cool. Sometimes I think that Hollywood over dramatizes the evil step-mother" rolling his eyes a bit.

George couldn't help but agree with him. It seemed most movies now a days had an evil stepmother or another.

"You are pretty smart for your age you know" George said in admiration.

"Either that or you're not that smart" David joked.

"Is that anyway to talk to your father?" George said in the most serious tone he could muster. The boys were taking this much better than ever thought. They had accepted this new development without any fuss.

"No. I am sorry daddy. I won't do it again. I am swooy" David laughed in a baby voice.

He shook his head in fake pain "I am sorry. But I am going to have to ground you"

David frowned and crossed his arms over his chest "I thought vou were the cool parent"

He just laughed. This is what Collins missed. But his loss was his George's gain. Neal had filled him in on the situation.

Collins had had numerous pregnancy scares and DNA lawsuit.

It was not that he didn't want kids, he didn't want Diane's kids. Heck if the situation was reversed and another more 'presentable' woman had a child for Collins, Diane's children would be in the back collar. They would still be useless in his

eyes.

"Hey, so what do we call you now?" Mario asked a little hesitantly. When they came to age for school, they had been taught that a family had a father, mother and kids. They quickly became aware that they did not have a father.

It was a bit confusing and a little sad. But that issue was resolved by their second grade teacher. The savior Mr. Helberg sat them down and explained that some families did not have a mother or father. However, that did not mean that they were any less special than the typical nuclear family. Having only a mother meant more love for them. Besides, he noted that many people did not have their fathers like Superman.

"Well, you decide. But I would be honored if you guys wanted to call me dad" he said in a very sincere voice. Nothing else would give him greater joy. He had practically raised these boys. He was their dad.

"Okay. Dad" Mario smiled. He had a dad. Actually he had always thought of George as his dad, at least for him. This had just made it official.

"Nah. I prefer pops" David cut in.

George was about to cry. His heart swelled with pride and humility. But he held it in and managed a small smile.

"Hey do you want to go to a movie?" David asked. He had a really short attention span.

"Mmm, that sounds like fun. Maybe your mom would want to join us" reaching for his phone to text Diane and ask.

"What movie should we see?" Mario asked all excited.

"I don't know. How about Avengers?" he suggested.

"Then we can't go" Mario said a little dejectedly.

"What why not?" as finished the last word asking Diane and Fifa and Esther to meet him at the café. He got a reply a minute later saying that they were on their way.

"Because, mom will bring Fifa" in a matter of fact tone.

"And?" David asked. This was one thing that Mario did that drove him crazy. He never finished his thoughts or explanation. What was he? A mind reader?

"Because, mom said Fifa can't watch any of our movies" he explained.

"Ohh that is true"

"Hmm. Maybe we can go bowling hmm? How does that sound?" George coming to the rescue.

"Yeah!" the boys cheered.

"Well, I texted your mother and she is bringing your sister and grandma. They should be here in a couple of minutes"

"Great!"

"I call team with mom" Mario yelled.

"Me too"

"Hey I want to be teammates with your mom" George protested.

"No. She is the best. And we want to win"

"Well as your dad I can veto all decisions" he smiled.

"No way"

"Come on"

"That's not fair" David retorted whilst folding his arms and pouting in disapproval

"It is great being a dad" folding his arms and leaning back.

"No. How come?"

"Well, the bible says that what God has joined together let no man put asunder" he loved using that quote.

"What does that even mean?" Asked Mario

"It means, you can't divide your mother and I otherwise God will be mad"

"Says who?!" Mario laughed.

"Says the Bible, God and my pastor" he quipped.

"I don't believe you"

"Would I lie?" placing his hand on his chest to fake pain and outrage.

"Yeah. Since when did you pay attention in church?" David replied

"Since, your abuela pinched me then proceeded to hit me after church with her purse for texting. You know I have got to ask, why do women carry such huge purses?"

"To put all their shopping in?" David suggested. To this George threw his head back and laughed.

The boys joined in. As he was getting himself together he saw something across the room that made his blood run cold and boil at the same time. There at the counter was Collins and his mother. What the hell were they doing here? This was all that he needed. Still keeping a smile on his face, he reached for the phone and speed dialed Diane. The boys needed to get out of here and now.

As the boys chatted with each other, he waited for Diane to pick up. She picked after the second third ring.

"Hello"

"Hey, where are you?" he said in an even voice.

" just drove up to the café. I am just looking for parking" she answered whilst making a parallel.

"Thank God. Don't bother coming out of the car. I am sending the boys out right now" he said in a cryptic voice so as not to alert the boys.

"Umm. Okay" she said hesitantly. Something in George's voice put her on the edge. There was only one explanation, their opponents were here.

"Umm, has he or see seen them yet?"

"No. Not yet but I don't know how long until they do"

"Okay. Send them out now" in a strong voice

"Okay bye" ending the call he turned to the boys "Okay boys, mom is here so you guys get in the car and I will quickly pay for the meal"

"You don't want us to wait?" Mario said with concern.

"No. You guys go on" he said firmly but lovingly. They had to leave now. Collins mother had just alerted her son of their presence. Thankfully, the boys made it out of the door with no hassle but the watchful stares of the Dwights.

He then proceeded to signal the waiter to bring the check.

"Will that be all sir?" the waiter asked politely.

"Yes"

"Okay. Here is the bill. Whenever you are ready" placing the bill on the table.

"Thank you" reaching for his wallet and pulling out a 50 dollar note. But he saw a shadow looming over him. He dint have to look up to see who it was.

"Good afternoon Mr. Sinclair" Collins greeted politely. But politeness was the last thing on his mind. He wanted to throttle the man. This was the man responsible for stealing his kids. And he was here having lunch with them. He saw the boys leave and get in a waiting car. Looking at them he couldn't help but feel pride. They looked to be strong, happy and well-mannered kids. One of them held the door for an

older couple to walk in.

Their resemblance was uncanny. He couldn't tell them apart.

And he watched as they laughed and shoved each other until they got in the waiting hummer.

"Afternoon Mr. Dwight" George replied in an even tone. He was a little pissed off that the guy had the audacity to take a seat across from him.